FLORAHOME — Three years ago, Vasco Chastain Jr. was appointed supply pastor of Florahome United Methodist Church. At the time, the church was averaging about five people per week in worship.

Last May, the church completed a $37,000 expansion of its fellowship hall and now has more than 70 members, according to Chastain. Last April, it averaged 55 people in worship, "the most they have had in almost 100 years," he said.

"This church has a vision of reaching the community, and they are trying different avenues to achieve that vision," said DeLand District Superintendent Mont Duncan. "Their vision has turned them around."

The vision, according to Chastain, is to touch people’s lives in real and sometimes simple ways. "I try to please people as much as I can," he said. "If I hear about problems, I try to run it down and see if there’s anything I can do."

The pastor, who lives more than 50 miles from the church, has set an example that the congregation is following, Duncan said. "If you’re breathing, he’ll [Chastain] come see you," he said. "The lay people are now inviting others to come to church and are doing outreach to reach the unchurched."

One of the newcomers is Geri Whitehead. While visiting the church Whitehead asked if she could sing during a worship service. She did, then Chastain asked if she would join the church and start a choir. She accepted and the choir loft, which was curtained off and used for storage, now holds a 16-member choir each Sunday.

Chastain says the church also has a vision for reaching out to the community’s children. "We have a vision that we’re going to have young people in the church," he said, "and we needed room for more Sunday school classes."

Church members started a building program last summer with the goal of expanding the fellowship hall. They worked with the district office for approval of the project, but Duncan said they didn’t ask for any money from the district. "They did it all on their own," he said.

Although there was some resistance from members of the congregation, the church moved forward with its building project, the first since 1948, Chastain said.

The fund-raising strategy was simple. "We talked and visited people," he said.

Chastain credits Jesus for the changes. "In the history of the church, most people have been very conservative, with not much thought of the future," he said. "They didn’t think they needed to participate in anything outside the church. Now they have a vision for the Lord."